Bricklayers

What they do?

B. Lay bricks or other masonry units to build patios, garden walls and other decorative installations

C. May restore, clean or paint existing masonry structures.

D. Read sketches and blueprints to calculate materials required

E. Cut and trim bricks and concrete blocks to specification using hand and power tools

F. Prepare and lay bricks, concrete blocks, stone, structural tiles and similar materials to construct or repair walls, foundations and other structures in residential, industrial and commercial construction

G. Lay bricks or other masonry units to build residential or commercial chimneys and fireplaces

Where they find work?

1. Construction - 87.0%

What education do I need?

1. Completion of secondary school is usually required.

2. Completion of a three- to four-year apprenticeship program or a combination of over four years of work experience in the trade and some high school, college or industry courses in bricklaying is usually required to be eligible for trade certification.

3. Trade certification for bricklayers is compulsory in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Quebec and available, but voluntary, in all other provinces and the Yukon.

4. Trade certification for stonemasons is available, but voluntary, in Newfoundland.

5. Red Seal, an interprovincial trade certification, is also available to qualified bricklayers.

High School Subject that will help:

1. Math
2. Physical Education
3. Sciences
4. Industrial Arts

What can you expect to make:

The average hourly wages for Bricklayers is $21.93/HR, which is close to the average for occupations in the trades, transport and equipment operators sector and close to the average for all technical, professional, and skilled occupations. These wages grew at an average rate from 2002 to 2004.

Average Wage

Expected Wage by Age

Unemployment:

9% of Bricklayers are unemployed. This rate is close to the average for technical, professional, and skilled occupations.

Unemployment

Trends in Unemployment

Current Job Outlook:

The job outlook for Bricklayers is considered Average because:

1. Employment grew at an average rate.

2. Hourly wages ($21.93) are close to the average ($18.07), and the rate of wage growth is close to the average.

3. The unemployment rate (9%) is above the 2004 average (7%).

Future Job Prospects:

Your job outlook will continue to be Average because:

1. The employment growth rate will likely be below average because of an expected decline in the residential construction industry.

2. The number of persons leaving for retirement will be insufficient to counterbalance weak job creation performance leaving, thus leaving few foreseeable openings.

3. The number of job seekers will likely match the number of job openings.

Highest Concetration:

The highest concentrations are found in Alberta and Prince Edward Island while the lowest concentrations are in New Brunswick and Newfoundland.

Unionization Rate:

The unionization rate (52%) is close to the average (32%) for all occupations.

Useful Experience:

1. Construction

2. Working to schedule

3. Physical work

Part Time Workers

Part time workers:

5% of Bricklayers are employed only on a part-time basis. There were 13,400 workers employed in these occupations in 2004, an increase of 12% since 1997.

Age Demographics

Age Demographics:

The retirement rate to 2009 will likely be average reflecting the age/retirement structure of the occupation.

Self Employed

Self Employed:

Roughly 23% of Bricklayers are self-employed. This is considered Above average for the industry as a whole.

Men vs Women

Men vs Women:

% of the individuals employed as Bricklayers are women. Compared to other industries, this is .